The essential role of molybdenum is in the enzyme nitrate reductase, which is key to the reduction of nitrate (NO₃^-) to nitrite (NO₂^-), a pivotal part of the pathway of assimilating inorganic nitrogen into organic nitrogen forms. Even in ammonium-fed plants, there appears to be a beneficial role to Mo.

Molybdenum is a trace element in soils and is soluble as the anion molybdate (MoO₄^-). Molybdenum deficiencies have been demonstrated reliably in parts of Australia, where the land surfaces are the oldest and most weathered on earth, but are dubious in virtually every other location.

This page was last modified by Phillip Barak, Univ. of Wisconsin, on 10 Jan 97. All rights reserved.